Coram Voice’s creative writing competition for children in care and young care leavers returns #Voices2018

Coram Voice is excited to announce the return of ‘Voices’, its national writing competition for children in care and young care leavers, for a third year running. The competition is open for entries until 8 February 2018.

Coram Voice, a charity that provides a range of services for children and young people in and around the care system, first launched the competition in 2016 as a platform for care-experienced young people to express their creative talents and to celebrate their voices.

Research conducted with previous Voices shortlisted entrants found that participation in the competition had inspired them to write more, allowed them to be recognised for their talents and for some, even helped them to come to terms with being in care.

The theme of this year’s competition is Who or What Makes You Proud and entries can be submitted online at coramvoice.org.uk/voices18 in any written form including poems, short stories, raps and newspaper articles with a 500 word limit. The competition is grouped in four age categories: primary school, lower secondary school (age 11-14), upper secondary school (age 15-18) and care leavers.

The entries for Voices 2018 will be judged by a panel of experts, each with personal experience of, or a special interest in the care system including:

Jackie Long, Social Affairs Editor for Channel 4 News

Lucy Spraggan, singer-songwriter, and newly approved foster carer

Ashley John-Baptiste, BBC reporter and producer

Jenny Molloy, author of ‘Hackney Child’

Mr Gee, spoken word artist

Lola Jaye, author of ‘Orphan Sisters’

Lisa Cherry, author of ‘The Brightness of Stars’

Dreadlock Alien, slam and performance poet

The winner of each category will receive a tablet and £100 shopping vouchers, and will be announced by the judges at an awards ceremony in London on 9 April 2018.

One of the judges, Lola Jaye commented: I know that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we can understand each other’s unique experiences. That’s why I am so pleased to judge Voices 2018, a competition that amplifies the voices of young people in the care system and gives them a platform to tell the world their stories. I can’t wait to read what they produce and celebrate their achievements.

One young person who previously entered Voices said: The competition is a safe opportunity to share your personal story – it’s a wonderful way to embrace your history and yourself” and another added “to put what you feel on a piece of paper is quite therapeutic.

Another previous entrant commented: It can be the start of a journey… it opens up new opportunities and also shows people the potential you have.

Voices 2018 is open for entries until 8 February 2018. For more information about the competition and how to enter, please visit coramvoice.org.uk/voices18.